The Costa Viola is the name given to a geographic area in the province of Reggio Calabria just north of the provincial capital, that faces the Tyrrhenian sea and the Strait of Messina. This coastline, closed between the sea and the mountains, is dominated by high, rugged cliffs as well as fascinating caves such as the "Grotta dello Spaviero". From Mount Sant'Elia there's a breathtaking view of the Eolie islands archipelago and the two active volcanos of Etna and Stromboli. The coastal road passes through hills covered with typical Mediterranean vegetation known as "the macchia". The whole area is characterized by terraces cultivated with vines high above the sea. The beaches and shorelines alternate between stretches of rocks, sand or pebbles, dominated by the mountain ridges of Aspromonte and Mount Poro, that fall directly to the sea. The sea bed is similar to tropical waters and has preserved an integral ecosystem. Recently, in the area near the coast of Scilla rare colonies of black coral have been found while off the coast of Palmi, near Capo Barbi other colonies of white coral have been discovered. In front of the coast of the Tonnara di Palmi lies the tiny characteristic island known as "Scoglio dell'Ulivo", due to the olive trees that grow there spontaneously.